Gas burner device

ABSTRACT

A gas burner for heating a pot or pan for use on a gas range top. The burner includes a planar portion and a recessed portion which is unitary with the planar portion. A chamber is provided below the recessed portion and passage means extend from the chamber and pass outwardly through the recessed portion. Means are provided for introducing a gaseous combustible medium, such as a mixture of air and gas, to the chamber and for directing the combustible mixture through the passage means. Means are also provided for igniting the gaseous combustible mixture as it passes outwardly through the passage means in the recessed portion.

United States Patent inventors Elherll. livelier 2.987.] l8 6/l96l Brown431/328 Downers Grove; 3,454,346 7/!969 Genbauffe 126/39 X Robert It.Rosenberg, Evergreen Park: FOREIGN PATENTS will" 485,267 10/1953 ltaly126/39 H iw "1572 Li |4,0s1 :2/1955 France l26/39 H Filed M 5. I969Patented July 13, 1971 Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Aaigmc I ml MGTechnology Attorney-Molinare, Allegretti, Newitt 8: Witcofi R GAS BURNERDEVICE 7 chi-"5 ABSTRACT: A gas burner for heating a pot or pan for useon U.S.Cl. a gas range [op The burner inciuds a planar portion and a'26/2l4 recessed portion which is unitary with the planar portion. Abit. CL chamber is provided below the recessed portion and passage ls/wmeans extend from the chamber and pass outwardly through 26,39,39 thcrecessed portion Means are provided for introducing a H. 39 39 2 H Cgaseous combustible medium, such as a mixture of air and gas, to thechamber and for directing the combustible mixture admm CM throu h thepassage means. Means are also provided for ignit- 8 U ITE STATES PATENTSing the gaseous combustible mixture as it passes outwardly 2,232,482 2/i941 Schulz 126/39 H through the passage means in the recessed portion.

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fizflnfors; Faker F. Mwellar Robert B Pusan/be 7y William J? Siaaia atikf vc -Lh GAS BURNER DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THEINVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART This invention relates to agas burner structure for use on a gas range top.

For years, gas ranges have been conventionally constructed by havingopenings in the range top and a burner is located in each of theopenings in the top. Each burner is normally connected to a gas manifoldwhich passes natural gas into the burner. Grates are normally mounted onthe gas range top around each of the openings so that the bottom of apan rests on the grate at a position spaced above the burner.

The conventional prior art burners have certain inherent disadvantages.One of the primary disadvantages of conventional burner designs are thedifficulties encountered in cleaning the gas range top and theindividual burners. Ordinarily, the burner tops must all be removed andthen separately cleaned. Furthermore, because of the annular openingthat is normally located around the burner and the gas range top, food,crumbs, spilled liquids, boiled over materials, and the like often passdownwardly through the annular opening. This not only necessitatescleaning the burner top but also the top of the burner box which isnormally directly below the burner openings. The cleaning of thebulkhead is often a difficult and time consuming job because it usuallyrequires complete dismantling of the entire burner structure anddismantling of the gas manifold. The grates must be separately removedand cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an important object of thisinvention to provide an improved gas burner structure for use on a gasrange top wherein many of the inherent disadvantages of conven' tionalprior art gas burners are avoided.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a gas burner which isparticularly easy to clean and substantially prevents the passage ofspilled food downwardly to the bulkhead which defines the upper wall ofthe oven.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a monolithic gasburner structure which not only supports pots and pans but also acts asa flame retainer, wherein the structure is particularly characterized byits ease ofcleaning.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved gasburner for gas ranges wherein the burners are characterized byself-cleaning by combustion of material which comes into contact withthe flame zone.

Further purposes and objects of this invention will appear as thespecification proceeds.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a gas burner for useon a gas range top wherein the structure includes a planar portion, arecessed portion which is unitary with the planar portion, a chamberlocated below the recessed portion, passage means which pass from thechamber and through the recessed portion, means for introducing agaseous combustible medium into the chamber and for directing thegaseous medium through the passage means, and means for igniting thegaseous mixture as it passes outwardly through the passage means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Particular embodiments of the presentinvention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view ofa gas range top utilizing particularembodiments of our invention:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of our improved gas burnets;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2showing the internal structure of our improved gas burner structure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of ourimproved gas burner structure; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exterior of the gas burner deviceshown in FIG. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring toFIG. I, a range top 10 ofa gas range R is shown having three gas burners12 made in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and a gasburner 14 embodying an alternate embodiment of our invention. As shownin the perspective view of the embodiment 14 in FIG. 2, the burner 14differs from the burner 12 in the addition of a central upright postburner 16.

The burners l2 and 14 are provided with a substantial monolithic plate,generally I8, which includes a planar portion 20 and a central depressedor dished portion 22. The dished portion 22 is substantially circular inplan view and has a bottom portion 24, which is devoid of openings, anda curved, upwardly extending sidewall 26 which intersects the planarportion 20. A plurality of radially extending grooves 28 extendoutwardly in the planar portion 20 form the intersection between thedished portion 22 and the planar portion 20. The grooves act as exhaustports for combustion products when a pot or pan rests on the planarportion and over the dished portion 22, the flame retainer. Since manypots and pans have a planar bottom with a diameter greater than thediameter of the dished portion 22, it is important that the describedexhaust ports be provided for proper exhaustion of combustion products.

Preferably, the burner plate 18, including the planar portion 20 and thedished portion 22, are formed in a single piece of the same material,such as a ceramic material resistant to flame and high heat. Thematerial is also to be capable of being cooled in a really short periodof time after the burner has been inoperative.

Referring to FIG. 3, and enclosure 30 is secured to the underside of theplate 18 by suitable means (not shown) directly below the dished portion22 of each of the burners 12 and 14. The bottom wall 32 of the plenum 30has an air inlet 34 provided thereon. A pair of brackets 36 rigidlysupport a motor 38 which drives a fan 40. The fan 40 draws air from theatmosphere upwardly through the inlet 34 and forces it under pressureinto the chamber 44 defined by the enclosure 30.

A gas manifold 42 passes through the wall of plenum 30 and is directedinto the chamber 44. The gas manifold 40 directs natural gas thereinwhere the gas is intermixed, if desired, with the air being drawninwardly through the inlet 34.

A plurality of peripheral passageways or apertures 46 are located in thesidewall 26 of the dished portion 22. The passageways 46 are spacedabove the bottom portion 24 so that ordinarily no material spilled inthe dished portion 22 will pass through the passageways 46.

The burner 14, in contrast to the burners 12, includes a central burnerpost 16 which is received by an aperture 48 in the central part of thebottom 24 of the dished portion 22. The aperture 48 receives. by pressfit, a recessed cylindrical lower end 50 on the post burner 16. Theburner post l6 is removable from the aperture 48. However, the parts fittogether so that there can be substantially no passage of materialbetween the post burner 16 and the aperture 48. An upright aperture 52is provided in the burner 16. The burner 16 has an upper wall 54 whichhas an upper surface coextensive with the upper surface of the planarportion 20 of the plate structure IS. A plurality of laterally extendingpassages 60 are provided in the sidewall 56 of the burner post 16.

An ignition or glow coil 58 is located in close proximity to one of thepassageways 46 provided in the dished portion 22 and exterior of thechamber 44. The coil 58 is to be rapidly heated to at least the ignitiontemperature of the combustible material, such as a mixture of gas andair, contained within the plenum or chamber 44 so that as the mixturepasses outwardly through the passageways 46, there will be rapidcombustion thereof. The flame apertures on passageways 46 are in closeproximity so that a flame is rapidly passed from each peripheralpasageway 46 to the next and is also passed to the lateral burneropenings 60 provided in the burner post 16. A glow coil mayalternatively be placed exterior and adjacent one of the burner openings60 in the burner post l6.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of our invention isshown. ln the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the gas burner 62 includes asubstantially monolithic plate 64. The plate 64 includes a planarportion 66 and a dished portion 68. The dished portion 68 is devoid ofapertures as is the planar portion 66. The dished portion 68 includes abottom 70 and curved sidewalls 72 which extend from the bottom 70 andintersect, at a substantially circular intersection, with the planarportion 66.

A plurality of radially extending ribs 74 formed in one piece with theplate 64 are provided in the area of the dished portion 68 and extendpartially to the planar portion 66. The ribs 74 are each ofsubstantially the same construction having an upper surface which isspaced above the upper surface of the planar portion 66. The ribs 74, ofequal height, provide support for pots or pans. The lateral spacebetween the lower surface of a pot or pan, the side surfaces of the ribs74 and the upper surface of the planar portion 66 provide an exhaustport for combustion gases. The ribs 74 are spaced from the centralburner portion 76, which is at the central portion of the dished portion68 and the plate 64.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. l3, an enclosure 78 is integrallyconnected by suitable means (not shown) to the undersurface of theburner plate 64. The enclosure 78 is located directly below the dishedportion 68. An air inlet 80 is located in the bottom 82 of the plenum7B. A motor 84 is mounted to the enclosure 78 by brackets 86 and themotor drives a fan 88 which draws outside air from the outside throughthe air inlet 80 and passes into the enclosure 78. A gas manifold 90passes through the enclosure 78 and directs gas into the chamber 92defined by the enclosure 78.

An ignition or glow coil 94 is provided for igniting the combustiblemixture, such as a gas-air mixture. as the mixture passes outwardlythrough the burner apertures 96 in the cylindrical sidewall of thecentral burner portion 76. The coil 94, exterior of and adjacent aburner opening 96, is rapidly heated to the combustion temperature ofthe gaseous combustible mixture contained within the chamber 78. Theglow coil may be located any place exterior of an adjacent a burneropening. The apertures 96 communicate with the upright aperture 98 ofthe burner portion 76. The closed upper surface of the burner portion 76is coextensive with the upper surface of the rib 74 so that a pot or panrests steadily thereon.

Various systems other than those shown in the drawings may be used forsupplying the combustible gas-air mixture to the burner head. Forexample, an inspirator tube may be used for supplying primary air-gasmixture while a fan supplies the secondary air. Further, two separatechambers may be provided-one chamber for the outer ring of burneropenings and one for the inner ring; a fan supplies air to bothchambers, which gas is supplied separately to the inner and outerchambers. Also, a rheostat control could be used for the air supply tothe amount of gas supplied.

The operation of both embodiments is substantially the same. When aperson desires to operate the range, the knob K on the range R is turnedto the on" position. This causes introduction of gas into the plenum 30or 78 through the gas manifold 42 or 90 by opening a solenoid operatedvalve (not shown) on the respective manifold. Simultaneously, a switch(not shown) operates the motor 38 or 84 to draw air through the inlet 34or 80. By closing another switch (not shown), the ignition coil 58 or 94is rapidly heated to combustion temperature so as to ignite the gas-airmixture. As a result, the flame passes laterally outwardly through theflame apertures 48 or 96 for the purpose of heating a pot or pan.

When the bottom ofa pot or pan extends beyond the dished portion 22 or68, the combustion gases escape through the grooves 28 or through thespace formed between the ribs 74.

In both cases, if there is any spillage of material, the entire burneris easily cleaned because there are no apertures, except for the burneropenings themselves, where food or material may collect or pass.Furthermore, the heat imparted by the flame will cause combustion ofmaterial collected in the area of the burner so that it is onlynecessary for a person to wipe away the ash. It is thus seen that all ofthe objects of the foregoing invention have been accomplished.

While in the foregoing there has been provided a detailed description ofparticular embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understoodthat all equivalents obvious to those having skill in the art are to beincluded with the scope of the invention as claimed.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gas burner for heating a pot or the like for use on a gas rangetop, said burner comprising a planar portion, a recessed portion unitarywith said planar portion, a chamber below said recessed portion, passagemeans between said recessed portion and said chamber, a substantiallyupright post at the central portion of said recessed portion, said postincluding passageways from said chamber passing laterally outwardlythrough said upright post, means for introducing a combustible gaseousmedium into said chamber and for directing said combustible mediumthrough said passageways and said passage means, and means for ignitingsaid combustible gaseous medium as it passes outwardly through saidpassageways and said passage means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein means are provided for supporting a potor the like above said recessed portion while providing exhaustpassageways for combustion products between the pot and the said planarportion.

3. The device of claim I wherein said recessed portion has a bottom anda side portion, said passage means comprises a plurality of apertures inthe said side portion, said apertures being spaced upwardly from saidbottom portion.

4. The apparatus of claim I wherein pan support means, unitary with saidplanar portion, projecting upwardly therefrom, are provided adjacentsaid recessed portion.

5. The device of claim I wherein said introducing means comprises amanifold for introducing gas into said chamber, and fan means forintroducing and mixing air with the said gas for passage through saidpassage means, and said igniting means comprises electrical heatingmeans capable of being rapidly raised to the ignition temperature of thecombustible gaseous medium.

6. A gas burner for heating a pot or the like for use on a gas rangertop. said burner comprising a planar portion, a recessed portion unitarywith said planar portion, said planar portion providing a surface forsupporting said pot, and radial groove means at the intersection betweensaid recessed portion and said planar portion for permitting the escapeof combustion products, a chamber below said recessed portion, passagemeans between said recessed portion and said chamber, means forintroducing a combustible gaseous medium into said chamber and fordirecting said combustible gaseous medium into said chamber and fordirecting said combustible medium through said passage means, and meansfor igniting said combustible gaseous medium as it passes outwardlythrough said passage means.

7. A gas burner for heating a pot or the like for use on a gas rangetop, said burner comprising a planar portion, a recessed portion unitarywith said planar portion, a chamber below said recessed portion, passagemeans between said recessed portion and said chamber, a central raisedportion in said recessed portion, said passage means including aperturesprojecting laterally from the side portions of said central raisedportion, means for introducing a combustible gaseous medium into saidchamber and for directing said combustible medium through said passagemeans, and means for igniting said combustible gaseous medium as itpasses outwardly through said passage means.

1. A gas burner for heating a pot or the like for use on a gas rangetop, said burner comprising a planar portion, a recessed portion unitarywith said planar portion, a chamber below said recessed portion, passagemeans between said recessed portion and said chamber, a substantiallyupright post at the central portion of said recessed portion, said postincluding passageways from said chamber passing laterally outwardlythrough said upright post, means for introducing a combustible gaseousmedium into said chamber and for directing said combustible mediumthrough said passageways and said passage means, and means for ignitingsaid combustible gaseous medium as it passes outwardly through saidpassageways and said passage means.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinmeans are provided for supporting a pot or the like above said recessedportion while providing exhaust passageways for combustion productsbetween the pot and the said planar portion.
 3. The device of claim 1wherein said recessed portion has a bottom and a side portion, saidpassage means comprises a plurality of apertures in the said sideportion, said apertures being spaced upwardly from said bottom portion.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein pan support means, unitary with saidplanar portion, projecting upwardly therefrom, are provided adjacentsaid recessed portion.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said introducingmeans comprises a manifold for introducing gas into said chamber, andfan means for introducing and mixing air with the said gas for passagethrough said passage means, and said igniting means comprises electricalheating means capable of being rapidly raised to the ignitiontemperature of the combustible gaseous medium.
 6. A gas burner forheating a pot or the like for use on a gas ranger top, said burnercomprising a planar portion, a recessed portion unitary With said planarportion, said planar portion providing a surface for supporting saidpot, and radial groove means at the intersection between said recessedportion and said planar portion for permitting the escape of combustionproducts, a chamber below said recessed portion, passage means betweensaid recessed portion and said chamber, means for introducing acombustible gaseous medium into said chamber and for directing saidcombustible gaseous medium into said chamber and for directing saidcombustible medium through said passage means, and means for ignitingsaid combustible gaseous medium as it passes outwardly through saidpassage means.
 7. A gas burner for heating a pot or the like for use ona gas range top, said burner comprising a planar portion, a recessedportion unitary with said planar portion, a chamber below said recessedportion, passage means between said recessed portion and said chamber, acentral raised portion in said recessed portion, said passage meansincluding apertures projecting laterally from the side portions of saidcentral raised portion, means for introducing a combustible gaseousmedium into said chamber and for directing said combustible mediumthrough said passage means, and means for igniting said combustiblegaseous medium as it passes outwardly through said passage means.